Plant survival

[flirty41]

I'll be away from home for a couple of weeks soon. How can I keep my 14+ flower containers and numerous hanging baskets etc well-watered, short of asking someone to come in to do it? The flowers are well grown, so a downpour of rain wouldn't even touch the soil. It would be a shame and a waste to see them die. Thanks for your help! PS I have an outside hose and tap, if that's of any use!

[woofgang]

If you can afford it, a micro watering system with a timer is the complete business B and Q do one, also Gardena, also hoselock but I don't think that they are interchangeable so you need to decide which system to go for. I have micro watering in my tubs and pots and porous hose round the flowerbeds, you just turn on the tap or set the timer and the job,s done.....we live on baked beans and dry bread though.......

[flirty41]

Thanks for that woofgang. It sounds promising, so I'll investigate my nearest B&Q asap!! :-)

[quattro]

If you have room and are able to put them in your bath and leave them in a little water otherwise put them outside in a shaded spot and really soak them for a few days before you go

[woofgang]

You are welcome. p.s, I don't have shares in any of them!!

[christydeman]

you could put in a padling pool if you have one and fill it up so water reaches above the flower pot quite a lot cause otherwise the will be no water left if they evaporate and put them in a shaded area

[flirty41]

Thanks for all your answers. quattro, my bath isn't big enough for all my outside containers, but it's the answer to how to keep my houseplants watered - thanks! christydeman - another good idea - although it would have to be a pretty enormous paddling pool! Thanks again everyone!